Author Archives: birdsinmyviewfinder

These swallows live in colonies, often using man-made bird houses. The males appear to be all black unless the lighting highlights their deep purple body. The wings and tail are black though. This one was photographed at a Parker River NWR where a colony annually nests in gourd-shaped nest boxes clustered on tall poles.

This is another occasional non-bird guest appearance on my site. Although it is referred to here in Massachusetts as the Short-tailed Weasel, it is more commonly known as the Stoat or Ermine in most of its worldwide range. These small predators, less that 12 inches (30cm) long, are found throughout Eurasia, Greenland and northern NorthContinue reading “Non-Avian Guest: Short-tailed Weasel”

These two young Downy Woodpeckers are squabbling over who gets to use the suet feeder first. No injuries occurred other than to the loser’s pride.

Look closely and you can spot the Eastern Kingbird’s target. I’ll take credit for capturing the bird in flight but the fly is just plain luck!

This young Downy Woodpecker can still get dad to give him a snack from the suet feeder. It won’t be long before junior won’t be able to coax his parents into feeding him though. Fluttering his wings and begging won’t spark parental interest so he’ll have to use the feeder on his own.

The Cedar Waxwing is a bird of many colors and this photo shows all of them. The base coloration is a tan head, crest and chest with a pale yellow belly, a gray-brown back and white under the tail. Accessories include a black mask, yellow tail tip and waxy red tips on some of theContinue reading “Snapshot: Cedar Waxwing”

Bobolinks nest in open fields like meadows and hayfields. They are long distance migrants that breed in the northern US and in Canada along the US border. They winter in southern Brazil. The males have a color pattern that has been described as a reverse tuxedo with white patches on the back and a yellowContinue reading “Bobolink”

A Willet almost skimming the water as he approaches the pond’s shore. The white on the wings and tail are only visible while a Willet is in flight. Otherwise they are a drab looking bird that is almost invisible in the brush.

This colorful warbler with a dashing look is working hard to help keep insect pests in check and feed his family. Good job.

One of our summer visitors here in New England is the Yellow-crowned Night Heron. It gets its name from the bright yellow forehead patch and plumes. It also has a prominent white cheek patch. Their primary prey consists of crustaceans like crabs and crayfish.